Blue Jays beat Yankees 11-9 on July 3, 2025, in a wild slugfest. Despite homers from Judge & Stanton, Toronto won late to tie for first in the AL East.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Take a deep breath, Blue Jays fans. In what might be the wildest game of the 2025 season, the Toronto Blue Jays built an eight-run lead, watched it evaporate, and then manufactured a run in the bottom of the eighth to outlast the New York Yankees 11-9. The victory pulls the Jays into a dead heat with their rivals for first place in the AL East, setting the stage for an electric weekend series at Rogers Centre.
After building a 7-0 lead in the first inning, the Blue Jays saw the Yankees tie the game 9-9 in the eighth, only to manufacture the winning run on a walk, a steal, and a wild pitch.
This game had everything. The Jays exploded out of the gate with a seven-run first inning, punctuated by a massive three-run homer from Addison Barger. Davis Schneider added two long balls of his own, and it looked like a laugher. But the Yankees, as they often do, roared back. A six-run sixth, featuring Giancarlo Stanton's first homer of the year, made things tense. When Aaron Judge blasted his 31st home run in the eighth to tie it at 9-9, the air went out of the stadium. It was a gut-punch that would have broken lesser teams.
With the game on the line, it wasn't a bat that won it, but brains and speed. Veteran George Springer worked a crucial walk to lead off the bottom of the eighth, then promptly stole second to put himself in scoring position. He advanced to third on a flyout and, with two outs, came sprinting home on a Devin Williams wild pitch that just skipped away. It was a masterclass in manufacturing a run when it mattered most. Barger added an insurance single, and Jeff Hoffman slammed the door for his 20th save, sealing an improbable victory.
As if the on-field drama wasn't enough, the day brought fantastic news for the franchise. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was officially named the American League's starting first baseman for the 2025 All-Star Game. It's his fifth selection, a testament to his consistent offensive dominance and a huge honor for the Jays' cornerstone. The future is just as bright, with several top prospects being named to the All-Star Futures Game, proving the talent pipeline in Toronto is flowing strong. From the big-league club to the farm, it was a banner day for Blue Jays baseball.
With the series now tied and the Jays sharing the division lead, the next few games against the Yankees are monumental. Chris Bassitt takes the mound tomorrow in a critical start. This team just showed its resilience and heart in the most dramatic fashion possible. If this game is any indication, the race for the AL East crown is going to be a must-see thriller all summer long.
